This blog printed on 100% recycled electrons.
Off with the press hat, on with the painter's beret -- one of the Madville Times' alter egos, Lake Herman Dreamworks, kicks off a solo exhibit of paintings at the Brookings Community Cultural Center. The exhibit runs from June 28 through July 27, with a closing reception and gallery talk by the artist at 5 p.m. on July 27. The Madville Times may not be able to single-handedly generate support for the arts, but Lake Herman Dreamworks can at least generate art itself.
Now you may be wondering why this artist doesn't organize an exhibit right here in Madville. Alas, our fair city lacks a dedicated art gallery. Both libraries, the public library and the Mundt Library on the DSU campus, do what they can to showcase local artists, but those spaces don't hold much art (especially not the Lake Herman style of art, which includes some 4'x8' sheets of paneling transformed into sprawling, specklescapes). Likewise at John Green's downtown studio, one finds room for a handful of pieces from other area artists, but nothing like the Brookings Community Cultural Center, which can host full-scale exhibits as well as arts classes and competitions.
When Lake Herman Dreamworks makes its first million, I can guarantee one of its projects will be to buy the Masons' building and turn it into the Madison Institute of Modern Art. What a fine anchor that institution will make for Madison's Main Street!
The Year in Review, oh, and Merry Christmas!
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I used to be against Winter Wonderland at Falls Park but I have to admit,
the pics on my bike this year have been good, so I guess I am okay with the
city ...
11 hours ago
Who owns Mason's anymore? The city? If it's a cost to the city sitting there empty, why not sell it for a dollar or such to the arts group in Madison? And then that arts group can proceed to make it an attraction that would entice more visitors to the city. A John Green art gallery should be the main draw, and then other featured artists that would chane monthly, small group musical groups, book signings, any artsy type thing.
ReplyDeleteMason's is still privately owned, waiting for the capital and ambition necessary to turn it into a going operation again. But you're right in line with the thinking of myself and Prairie Roots: Mason's would make a gorgeous setting for arts events and other social gatherings. The building could easily be Madison's downtown living room, a focal point for tourism and community activity, like the Taos Inn in beautiful downtown Taos, New Mexico.
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